Interview With Author Lynne Hackles
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I live in Malvern with my husband, known as the LSO (Long Suffering One) and Budgie, our Bengal/silver tabby cross cat. He’s called Budgie because his last owner said he was feral. I said he was about as feral as a budgie and the cat looked up at me as if he recognised the name.
I have written half of several books. The eight I finished have all been published. The first was for pre-teens, then one I ghosted for someone, followed by three all about creative writing, and now three novels. The third will be out later this year and doesn’t have a title yet.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The latest book is Dilys Lloyd’s Dilemmas. It’s a sequel to Gail Lockwood and Her Imaginary Agony Aunt. Dilys appeared as Gail’s best friend and business partner in the first book and I liked her so much that I wanted to give her a book of her own. She’s such an upbeat character and was so much fun to write about.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
When I am about to start a new project, be it a short story or novel, I write my aim in chalk on my holey stone. I found my holey stone on a beach in Pembrokeshire. They are the flat pebbles that have a hole worn through them because of erosion. In some parts of the UK they are called fairy stones, witch stones or hag stones, and were/are believed to have magical powers. I have just cleaned my stone as it said Sell Third Novel on it, and this has now been achieved. The final in my trilogy about Gail, Dilys and Nesta has just been accepted
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I can’t seem to keep humour out of my writing so have been influenced by Laurie Graham who often writes humour, and Christina Jones who writes romantic comedy.
What are you working on now?
At the moment I am in the middle of a fallow field. It was the author, Eileen Ramsay who told me about fallow fields, comparing them to writing and saying that in winter you see an empty field, nothing there, but under the ground things are happening. Come spring and the field is green and alive. For me, several shoots have started to arrive but may not survive to be fully grown. I can only wait and see.
While I’m waiting for an idea for a novel I may return to short story writing. I have sold over 700 short stories to women’s magazines in the UK, Australia and the Netherlands. If I go for more than a few days without writing something I get miserable
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
A confession coming up. I detest social media but try to add something on Facebook once a week. Mostly posts about writing or cats, or writing and cats. I much prefer to go out to give talks. I have a full calendar this year.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t compare yourself to other writers. Don’t want to be the next Rowling, Stephen King or Terry Pratchett. Be yourself. Use your own unique voice.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
My friend, Caroline Graham, who wrote Midsomer Murders, told me that if I finish something and think, ‘That’ll do’ it most certainly won’t. There’s a huge difference between ‘That will do’ and ‘That will do nicely.’
What are you reading now?
Currently, I am reading Away With The Penguins by Hazel Prior. I pick up a book at random each time I visit the library. A few weeks ago it was Ellie and The Harp Maker by Hazel Prior. Now I am reading her books in order of publication. I have discovered many new favourite authors by choosing books at random.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Who knows? I considered writing a saga but they’re all about suffering and fighting to become a better person, or be in a better situation. There’s very little chance for humour so I’ve given up that idea. There’s a comic crime novel. I’ve actually written a chapter I assume will be around the middle of the book. Now all I need is 40,000 words to go before it and another 40,000 to go after. I rather fancy writing magical realism, or more romantic comedy. Or a time-slip, or…
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I Speak No Treason by Rosemary Hawley Jarman because I read it once, years ago and it has stayed with me. The author made me fall in love with Richard III.
Hatter’s Castle by A J Cronin because it was the first grown-up book I ever read.
The Future Homemakers of America by Laurie Graham. Anything by Laurie Grahm would do.
Ray Bradbury Stories Volume 2. Is that cheating? It has 841 pages and holds 100 stories. I’ve not long finished Volume 1. That held 100 stories too.
Author Websites and Profiles
Lynne Hackles’s Social Media Links
Author Interview Series
To discover a new author, check out our Featured Authors page. We have some of the best authors around. They are just waiting for you to discover them. If you enjoyed this writer’s interview feel free to share it using the buttons below. Sharing is caring!
If you are an author and want to be interviewed just fill out out Author Interview page. After submitting we will send it out in our newsletters and social media channels that are filled with readers looking to discover new books to read.
If you are looking for a new book to read check out our Featured Books Page.